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EDITORIAL
Dear Readers:

A new year. A new beginning.
In the spirit of Tishrei I am pleased to introduce another “new:” The Jewish Echo, a project of the JCC of Marine Park.
This family-friendly magazine has been created to unite our communities, promote local establishments, and provide a forum for our news and
concerns. It will reach close to 10,000 readers in Marine Park, Mill Basin, and higher numbers of Flatbush, uniting our communities with relevant
articles and information. It will address the themes that matter to us most: our Shuls, our schools, our political environment, and our families.
Within the pages of our inaugural issue, you will hear from Rabbi Baruch Pesach Mendelson, Rav of Khillah Marine Park, as he speaks
out against a silent but very real issue: excessive alcohol consumption. As a member of his congregation I can say that the measures he
has taken to prevent the problems that stem from one glass too many have made a real impact on the atmosphere in Shul. As a father I
am deeply grateful for his efforts. As a community member I am hopeful that others will take his words to heart and follow his example.
Speaking of community, Councilman Lew Fidler, who is reaching the culmination of a successful 12-year tenure representing the
46th District, took the time to share highlights of his career with the Jewish Echo for this month’s issue. Check out his interview to find
out his pick for the upcoming mayoral election.
The articles we’ve collected for you are current and fresh. Take the time to read up on opinions, information and inspiration from our other
contributors, which include famed educator Rabbi Yaakov Horowitz, marketing expert Rabbi Issamar Ginzberg, and Marine Park’s own Rabbi
Gil Student. Get ready for all those Yom Tov meals with recipes from Elky Friedman, a regular food writer for Ami Living Magazine.
It is my hope that the Jewish Echo will inform, inspire, and meet the goals we established at its inception. Please take this opportunity to
enjoy this publication. I welcome your feedback and opinions. Feel free to pen an article on a topic that matters to you for our next issue!
Please accept my heartfelt wishes for a Shana Tova. May the coming year bring health and success to all.

Warm regards,
Shea Rubenstein
shea@thejewishecho.com

Eli Wagshall, DDS FAAPD

Pediatric
Dentistry

Sunday & After School Hours
Specialized Care for Children
of All Ages & Needs

ver the last several years,
the JCC of Marine Park’s
Sunday Program has become
synonymous with fun, fitness and
friendship for the girls of the greater
Flatbush and Marine Park communities.
Since its inception, the critically
acclaimed program has impacted the
lives of over three hundred girls in
our community, boosting confidence,
promoting positive self-image and good,
clean -- and, when appropriate, messy
fun! Now entering its most anticipated
season yet, there is more excitement on
tap than ever before!
The JCCMP Sunday Program,
directed by Mrs. Shimrit ‘Shimi’ Adar
of Shimi2Jewmba fame, caters to girls
ranging in age from pre-1A through the
seventh grade. Best known for its warm,

caring, and energetic staff members, its
out-of-the-box activities, and for instilling
the values of Chesed, individuality, and
community in our girls (affectionately
known as “Jewmbanians”), the program
has rightfully earned its reputation for
being the most unique Sunday program
in Brooklyn’s history. With engaging
weekly themes, including Princess Day,
Dr. Seuss Day and, by popular demand,
Color War, it serves as an appropriate
outlet, as well as a platform for creativity
and self-expression.
Now, entering its fourth year, the
JCCMP Sunday Program is pulling
all the stops: In addition to the longstanding favorites of swim, art (taught
by the lovely and talented Fraydee
Mozes of Enchantma Designs) and, of
course, Jewmba (the most energizing

$669.00*

dancing in the Jewish world, lead by the
one and only Mrs. Adar), this year will
herald the addition of gymnastics to the
schedule, as well as the debut of a brand
new Jewmba song!
Registration has officially opened, and
the response has been overwhelming,
with slots filling up at record speed.
If you wish to register your daughter,
please visit https://www.jccmp.org or
call 718-407-1832 and ask for Mendy.
The Jewish Echo is slated to have your
exclusive all-access pass to the JCCMP
Sunday Program all semester long! Stay
tuned for monthly articles, updates and
pictures! And, don’t forget to check us
out online at jccmp.org, or Facebook.
com/Jewmba.

Thousands of Major Appliances “in-stock” ready to ship!
Lowest Prices, Shop with confidence knowing you’re getting the best deal!
Friendly and knowledgeable staff ready to serve you, just give us a call today!

THINK
BEFORE
YOU
DRINK
Rabbi Mendelson Speaks Out Against Alcohol Consumption

An interview with Rabbi Baruch Pesach Mendelsohn,
Rav of Khila Marine Park
Conducted & Written by Yitzchak Shteierman
ith summer relegated to the
"An oft-quoted phrase is ‘Ein Simcha
past, Shuls are once again filled Ela B’Basar V’Yayin’ (Pesachim 109a) – that
with congregants eager to rejoin their there could be no rejoicing but with meat
communities after time spent away on and wine, in regard to rejoicing during a
vacation. Along with the inspiration of festival. The Rambam, however, clarifies
uplifting Tefillah comes some concern that this does not mean Holelus - frivoover the weekly post-Davening fixture lousness.”
in many congregations: the Shabbos
"Our children are watching, and takKiddush. Hot Chulent and Kugel are al- ing note of our every move,” warns the
ways welcome after several hours of in- Rav. “If they witness fathers behaving like
tense prayer, but the alcoholic drinks that children [and far worse] as a result of inesometimes accompany the fare can be briation, what message are we passing on
cause for concern. Rabbi Baruch Pesach to them?” Rabbi Mendelson cites comMendelson, Rav of Khillah Marine Park, petition over who can provide the most
shares his thoughts on the dangers of alcohol consumption, and its effects on the
wholesome, harmony-filled home that is
the ideal of every Jewish family.

W

"Historically speaking, alcohol consumption in Shul most likely has its roots
in the Prohibition Era,” begins Rabbi
Mendelson. “While alcohol was prohibited in the general population during
this period, religious institutions had an
exemption, which allowed the consumption of alcohol religious purposes. Today,
alcohol is legal, but Shul is a place where
you can get it for free – which can contribute to a growing problem.

“Our children are
watching and taking note
of our every move.”

high-end liquor or consume the greatest
quantity as unfortunate scenarios that do
take place, leading to out-of-control behavior.
The Shabbos Kiddush isn’t the only potential time of trouble. Simchas Torah, he
says, is a common time for alcohol abuse.
"Why do we need alcohol to be happy
on this special day?" he asks. "There are
Shuls where wives have to pull their husbands off the floor and drag them home.

"The Chilul Hashem, including the calls
to Hatzolah and the NYPD for people
who have passed out in the streets of
Flatbush, is an additional, very painful
part of this saga."
Rabbi Mendelson suggests concrete
proposals for guidelines that the community can implement so that alcohol, when
consumed, is done with maturity and responsibly. "In our Shul, for example, we
have established rules which I rigorously
enforce. Alcohol is only served with food,
even on Simchas Torah, as consumption
without food significantly increases its
negative effects. It is served only at a rate
of one bottle per 20 people.”
As with all community matters, Rabbi
Mendelson feels that it is up the Rabbanim and community leaders to address
the alcohol issue. “If Shuls, through their
Rabbanim, make themselves heard on
the proper perspective on this matter,
we will hopefully see a positive change
in this area. If we will display the courage to take on the issue at this crucial
time, we will have done a great service
to our fellow neighbors, and most importantly to our children and spouses for whom we want the absolute best.”

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An interview with our

Elected
Official

An Interview with Outgoing
NYC Councilman Lew Fidler
Y.Shteierman

As he nears the end of his 12-year term in
the NYC Council, Councilman Lew Fidler
shares his thoughts with the Jewish Echo,
reflecting upon his term serving the Marine
Park neighborhood, what he has sought to
bring to the community, and what he feels they
may still seek to accomplish as a community.
ccording to CM Fidler,
leadership and involvement in
community matters has been
in his blood since a very young age. "I
grew up believing that a neighborhood
is a better place when we all work to
make it that way." he says. “During my
youth, my mother was the president of
every parent association where I went to
school and my father was the president
of many community organizations.”
The Councilman’s belief in community,
fostered by his parents’ achievements,
paved the way for his successful political
career, which began when he was a
young law school graduate.
During his stint as Councilman for
the 46th District, which began in 2002,
Fidler witnessed the rebirth that the
Marine Park Jewish community has
experienced. "I grew up in the Jewish
community in East Flatbush; that
community virtually disappeared. I
watched as Shuls and institutions,
including the Shul at which I was Bar
Mitzvahed, closed. I was therefore very
heartened to see the new growth in this
neighborhood.”

A

As an elected official, he says he has
“accepted it as my mission to nurture this
growth.” Fidler dedicated his energies
into helping the Jewish community
integrate into the greater, general
community – which was sometimes
less than smooth. He cites the lack
of familiarity with Jewish customs and
way of life as contributing towards
some of the challenges they faced. "In
the beginning, my office was getting
hysterical calls about the Lag BaOmer
fires, for example. Construction on
residential streets on major Jewish
holidays was another source of
conflict.” It took time to get all sides
– the general population, government
agencies – working together. “It’s all
about mutual understanding and respect
for each other’s traditions,” surmises the
Councilman.
Asked about the zoning issue, which
is very much on the mind of Marine
Park residents who need living space
for their young and growing families,
CM Fidler says, "This goes right back
to mutual understanding between all
Marine Park residents.”While the exact
answer to the zoning problem eludes
him the Councilman is quite sure he
knows what the answer is not. "What
I don't recommend is the status quo
which creates a war between neighbors
over the smallest addition. People
shouldn't have to go to war to add a
bedroom, but at the same time, we don't
want to encroach upon the residents
who would like to retain the character
of the neighborhood. We need to find
a balance between the reason people
came to the neighborhood in the first
place and the people who want to see
a situation where 'anything goes’. I
don't think anyone in either community
wants this to be like a crowded street in
Boro Park; we would need to reach an
accommodation.”
Reflecting on his role at City Council,
Fidler shares, "To me as a Councilman,
a large part of my efforts have been
focused on bringing back resources to the
Marine Park community, with the help of
community agencies like the JCC. A large
amount of taxes are paid here. It's only
right that the kids of our community
should benefit from these resources.”

Speaking
of
the
JCC,
the
Councilman says, “The JCC has done a
great job in both bridging gaps between
communities within Marine Park and
representing the interests of the Jewish
community.”
Councilman Fidler is proud of his
record on taxes. “When I was elected,
after 9/11, it was absolutely necessary
to raise property taxes. We had a big
problem. However, since that time I
actually voted for a rate decrease.”
He continues: “I saw the mortgage crisis
coming, and worked with Bloomberg to
take measures to soften the blow. How
can we possibly acknowledge that there
is a mortgage problem and still raise
taxes, pushing these people closer to the
brink? I don't see any reason for this.”
With regard to the way Mayor
Bloomberg has led the city, “I'm widely
considered a Bloomberg opponent—
and I say that respectfully. We have to
weigh people's civil liberties against
the general welfare. It can probably be
said that most of his initiatives come
from the right place, but a ban on 32
oz. sodas, and salt – that’s just silly. His
motivation is accepted; his approach is
not.” The next mayor, he says, may be
more inclined to “legislate rather than
regulate,” which many people feel has
been Bloomberg’s approach.
His pick for the upcoming mayoral
election? The Councilman answers
unequivocally,
enthusiastically
endorsing Bill Thompson. “In dealing
with the Jewish community, the word
‘ Mentch’ is often overused – but
this term absolutely describes Bill
Thompson. I have known him for 30
years. He is levelheaded, and possesses
an understanding of communities other
than his own. I would really like to see
him win.”
“We all want the same things for
our
neighborhoods,”
concludes
Councilman Fidler. “Nice parks, good
shopping, a safe environment, and clean
streets. I hope to continue to watch the
renaissance of this community, and the
achievement of these common values,
hopefully within a leadership role—
helping the various communities in
Marine Park join together to make us
stronger.”

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Six Question Marketing
Quiz
Rabbi Issamar Ginzberg

1: True or false? “Three out of 100
people will always buy what you are
selling.”

for your customers, based on how you have
educated them about what to expect from
you.”

False! This is one of those famous
calculations people make, only to be so
disappointed. They go to trade shows and
tell themselves, If there are 1,000 people at the
show and only three out of a hundred buy from me,
I’ll make millions. This is an amateur mistake.
If the offer is unattractive to the proper
audience, you many not sell even a single
dongle. (Imagine if three out of every 100
people that passed a Ferrari dealership
bought a Ferrari.)

4: True or false? “You have satisfied
clients, degrees, and prestigious
awards, and therefore the client knows
you are the best.”

2: True or false? “You should spend
your advertising budget as slowly as
possible, so it lasts the full year.”
False. Marketing should be based on what
it costs you to acquire a new customer. As
long as your acquisition costs are exceeded
by new profits, there should be no cap
on spending. You turn on the sink and
let a trickle of water come out. If it is
successful, you open the faucet wider and
wider, growing your business as quickly as
you can while keeping clients happy and not
outgrowing your ability to provide good
service and product.
3: True or false? “Emailing your
customer list once a week is way too
often.”
Well, it depends on conditioning. If they
are used to getting one email a week, they
will not mind at all. If however, you email
once a month and then suddenly barrage
them with emails once a week, you really
will be harassing them! So think about how
to condition your clients best. The right
answer is: “Whatever schedule works best

I’ve spoken for Google, the JNF, The
Jerusalem Post and at many other prestigious
places. But how did you know that? Probably
because you read about it somewhere in an
interview with me. If you don’t tell your clients
about your recognition, then quite frankly,
they don’t know about it. And when you do
show them, you keep them happier (because
people enjoy working with people they
know are very successful), and they are more
sold going forward on working with you and
referring you other business. In fact, here’s
a tidbit: Google didn’t pay me. They don’t
pay anybody who comes to speak there
because they have tremendous demand
and they hardly let anyone in. They came

to me via a referral which is how I ended up
there. But do you think I was disappointed
not to get paid? Absolutely not. I was
happy to be there, develop personal
connections there, and have a money-can’tbuy recognition via that association which
has done well for me in my own business.
It was worth way more than the money
I would have gotten for a paid talk. But
shhh! This is one of the secrets that
marketers don’t like to share unless you are
paying them really well. Sometimes it’s not
about the money but the cachet.

5: True or false? “Social Media works/
doesn’t work.”
My favorite expression about social media
is: “Social media is only free if time has no
value.” Social media is one of my favorite
speaking topics because it is a miracle tool—
it is free, easy to use, and has a seemingly
gentle learning curve. The truth is that
social media can work magic, even miracles
at times; but not the way most people are
using it. You can tweet to the millions
out there, but unless you’re speaking
their language, and I mean the language
of social media, you probably won’t see
worthwhile returns. It’s about leveraging the
platform to get to specific people that will
move your business to the next level, not
the people who might buy a new pair of
goggles if they happen to see your post
about the sale.
6: True or false? “Always advertise
where it is cheapest, based on the
distribution.”
False. Advertising is not about what’s the
cheapest. It’s about the right medium for
your message to get to your market. If you
were trying to raise awareness about a local
event, then advertising in a Staten Island
paper, even if it were only a third of the
price of a Brooklyn publication, would be a
bad idea. Think about the positioning your
clients see from their very first contact with
you. As in a phone call, it’s the one who
initiates the call that usually dominates the
conversation. Be the one who sets the pace,
and you’ll be the one who sets the price.
Rabbi Issamar Ginzberg is an award-winning
entrepreneur, marketing expert and well-known
columnist and speaker who has been featured in
over 150 publications. You can visit his website at
www.issamar.com.

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Skills, Skills, Skills

Help Your Children Succeed in Judaic Studies by
Providing Them with Hebrew Language Skills
Rabbi Yakov Horowitz
More than ninety percent of all words that appear
in Chumash are variations of only 270 root words!
There are 26 verbs (ex. Yatza, Holach) and
38 nouns (ex. Lechem, Makom) that appear in
Chumash more than 500 times each! If we were
to give children a rudimentary understanding of
Lashon Hakodesh – teach them the Shoroshim
and Shimushim (‘root words’, prefix, suffix, etc.) –
before or as soon as they start learning Chumash, we
would be providing them with the Chinuch ‘training
wheels’ they need to succeed.
hese lines were culled from a February
2007 op-ed essay in Mishpacha
Magazine titled “Training Wheels,” making
the case for the need to teach our children
critical skills during their entry-level to new
topics such as Chumash and Gemarah.
Permit me to explain:
There are basically two ways to teach
Chumash to beginners (the same concept
applies to Gemarah, albeit with modifications
for ‘Gemarah terms’ and phraseology). One
approach is to teach by memory/rote. In this
method, when a ‘new’ Pasuk is taught, each
word is translated to the child. The children
then repeat the Pasuk in the timeless, singsong
tune passed down through the generations.
This is primarily a memory-based exercise,
where the children retain the words they
are taught – all the while building a growing
vocabulary of words that they have already
memorized.
The other approach is a skill-based one. This
method is based on the notion that children
ought to first (or simultaneously) be taught
the basic structure of Lashon Hakodesh by
introducing them to the meaning and usage
of the main Shorashim (root words) and
Shimushim (prefixes/suffixes) that are used
to conjugate the root words.
If you are a regular reader of my writings,
you know by now that I am a very strong
proponent of the slow-and-steady skillbased method, as I feel that this is the
proverbial concept of ‘teaching a child how
to fish.’ Investing the time to teach our sons
and daughters the skills that they will need
to succeed is the greatest gift we can afford
them. For a skill-based approach to Chinuch

T

results in independent learners who have the
tools to enjoy the exploration of the various
Limudim they engage in.
Rote learning on the other hand, requires an
enormous amount of memorization and only
works well for children for whom committing
large amounts of material to memory comes
very easily. Additionally, the rote process is
often difficult for creative children, for visual
learners, and for restless/distractible children.
Finally, it leaves many children – and adults –
with a great volume of knowledge, but not
necessarily the ability to connect the dots
and form an understanding of the Hebrew
language that will allow them to open a
Chumash and read a Ramban with ease.
Why is that so? Well, please permit me to
share an analogy with you. Think of the last
time that you attended a family wedding.
There, you may have been introduced to
a distant relative for the umpteenth time.
Somewhere in the recesses of your mind,
you know that he is related to you somehow.
The only problem is that you just not quite
sure how that connection is made. (Your
father’s brother’s cousin through marriage?
Or was it your father’s cousin’s brother-inlaw?) It may be exceedingly frustrating for
you not to be able to figure this out, but you

You know by now that I am
a very strong proponent of
the slow-and-steady skillbased method
just can’t seem to get your hands around it
no matter how hard you concentrate and/or
how many times you have gone through this
frustrating exercise.
Well, my dear reader, that is what it is like
for a child (or adult) who learned Chumash
by rote to try and figure out the connection
between Vayomer, Vatomer, Amarti, Leimor,
Imri, Vayomru, Amru, Amar, Amarnu, …
you get the picture. They know that these
words are interlinked somehow, (all derive
from the root word ‘Amar, to say’), but
they just don’t know exactly how the lego

For a list of the most-commonly-used words, visit our website at www.kosherjewishparenting.com
To review 2 Mishpacha columns on the critical need to teach children language skills, simply Google my name and the titles, “It Doesn’t Start in Tenth Grade” and “Training Wheels.”
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Wine for Jews

Rabbi Gil Student

I

have
studiously
avoided developing
a taste for wine, but not for the obvious
reason. Rav Mordechai Willig often exhorts
his listeners to avoid alcohol other than
the bare minimum necessary for religious
requirements. Like the nazirite of old, we
who see so much promiscuity must also
foreswear liquor (see Rashi to Bamidbar
6:1). I cannot live up to Rav Willig’s standard
but attempt to follow it in spirit, sticking to
a one-drink limit.
However, despite being raised by
wine lovers, I have consciously avoided
appreciating fine wine for even my single
drink. The reason is simple: I can’t afford
the expensive habit. I prefer to spend what
little discretional income I have on books
rather than delicacies, expanding my mind
rather than my palate. Instead I stick to one
or two cheap wines and drinks that I know
and try not to learn too much about the
qualities and differences of drinks. But, not
only does my careful balance fail R. Willig’s
concerns, it also leaves me bereft of the
spiritual benefits of wine appreciation.

Irving Langer’s The Kosher Grapevine:
Exploring the World of Fine Wine (Gefen,
2012) is a charming guide to the history of
and Jewish attitudes to kosher winemaking,
as well as the nuances of different wines.
Langer’s humor and clarity allow even an
ignoramus like me to learn about wine and his
spiritual mindset provides a Jewish context to
all his teachings. His meticulous research of
Jewish texts provides fascinating historical
and Halachic background. This short and
easy-to-read book covers a lot of ground.

The Kuzari (3:17) explains that the requirement
of a blessing increases the enjoyment
Langer’s passion for wine demonstrates
not only a love for the beverage but an
appreciation of it. The Kuzari (3:17)
explains that the requirement of a blessing
increases the enjoyment. When you stop to
think about what you are eating—its main
ingredients and its differences from other
foods—you enjoy it more. I understand this
to mean that we differentiate between foods
with regard to blessings—what grows in the
ground, on trees, etc. —in order to make

the eating more
pleasurable.
The more you
understand
fine
food, the more you
enjoy it (as opposed
to salami, in which
case you enjoy it
less). The Sages
instituted detailed
blessings on food
in order to increase
the understanding,
joy and appreciation for it.
Conversely, the less you know about what
you put into your body, the less you enjoy
and appreciate it. If you want to be truly
grateful to G-d for the food, you should
learn about it—what it consists of, how it
is produced, how it differs from other food.
You will not only marvel at the wonders
of food development and production and
enjoy the food more, you will also gain
greater appreciation for the divine gift.
In addition to the many Jewish concepts
of wine, Langer’s book will also teach you
about the differences between wines. This
book will allow you to differentiate, enjoy
and ultimately praise G-d for the incredible
gifts of wines. The joys of wine are holy.
The only question is whether they are
appropriate for our unusual place in history.
Rabbi Gil Student writes frequently on Jewish
issues and runs TorahMusings.com

Divorce-What to Expect

Craig Goldsmith, Esq.

ivorce is an individual’s start on the road to a new beginning.
D
It is important that you plan accordingly before going on any
journey. Securing the proper guidance of a qualified attorney to
navigate you through the many legal aspects involved in a divorce
is just as important as seeking the assistance of an appropriate
therapist to manage your mental health while travelling on this
emotional highway. A qualified family law attorney will explain
this complicated process, negotiate and appear in court on your
behalf if necessary. However, your attorney should also manage
your expectations and present you with options so that you may
make an informed decision regarding your future.
Preparation is crucial to a successful resolution. Gather copies
of all financial documents relating to your marriage including
loans, bank statements, investment portfolios, retirement plan
statements, tax returns, credit card statements and any other
financial documents relating to income or expenses. These
documents will assist your lawyer in obtaining a favorable
outcome for you without court intervention. However, if an
agreement cannot be reached then those same documents will be
needed for court.

piano lessons. Where domestic violence is an issue, court filings,
police reports, hospital records, emergency room and ambulance
call reports as well as any photographs relevant to the allegation of
abuse will be needed.
Fear and the stigma attached to being divorced are what often
keep a person locked into a bad marriage. Disappointment
to sense of failure, sadness to fear, anger to hate and all shades
of emotions in between are some of the experiences you may
feel while on this emotional roller coaster. The first step in
maintaining your emotional health during this time is to seek out
the right therapist but equally important to your future is securing
the services of a qualified family law practitioner who will navigate
you through the legal maze.
Craig Goldsmith is a Family Law attorney whose office is located
Brooklyn. Mr. Goldsmith is a Board member of the JCCMP and was
President of Cong. Adath Yeshurun for four (4) consecutive terms.
suemyspouse@gmail.com

Where children are involved you must be able to identify and
articulate the facts and circumstances that have or may impact on
them in the future. “The Best Interest of the Child(ren)” is the
standard that NY Courts and attorneys look to in determining
how custody and visitation should be resolved. Your attorney will
need all the facts pertaining to your case in order to do a proper
analysis; e.g. a special needs child may require specific therapeutic
services or a child with exceptional musical ability may require
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Elky’s RECIPES
Cooking... Rich n’ Tasty… Yet Wholesome

Many of you may know me already from my articles in other magazines, but for those of you who do not, I would like to familiarize you
with my style of cooking. Like most of you, I love tasty food, food that is full of flavor, but I also prefer my dishes to be healthful! Therefore,
my specialty is taking normal recipes that may be full of calories and fat and working to find a more healthful version of that recipe. I have
had success while experimenting over and over again! I love utilizing fresh produce, whole grains, and protein in my cooking. Of course, I
also try to lighten the dish as much as possible. But I always keep the flavor - lots and lots of flavor! There are so many ways to add flavor to
food, even without adding calories. There are lots of wonderful spices, herbs and condiments that can bring out the tastiness of a dish.
This Yom Tov season, many of us are searching for new recipes since we have so many meals to cook for. It can be daunting and we
may feel overwhelmed at times, but keep in mind we all pull through. I would love to make it easier for you. So here I include some
easy, light, yet very tasty dishes that will appeal to almost everyone.
Have a wonderful wholesome Yom Tov!
Elky Friedman

Crisp Salad with Tangy Creamy Vinaigrette
There are lots of salads to choose from out there, but I’m always
on the lookout for another one! I figured my readers would be
too. I created this one for the people in my family who like to a
bit of sweetness, enjoy a good crunch, and also want to get in
their protein at the same time...hence the craisins, cashews, and
avocado. This salad adds a lot to any meal, yet it’s easy to throw
together! Plus an added bonus...the dressing is so fantastic! Keep
it in your fridge all the time...it’ll entice you to throw together a
fresh salad...whenever.

Wholesome Apple Crisp
Most of us crave something sweet at the end our Yom
Tov meal. Here’s a great choice that is lighter than most
other desserts….and absolutely heaven! This is hands
down a family favorite. By incorporating whole wheat
flour and oil (margarine is never on my shopping list)
this is a lower calorie version of the usual apple crisp.
You can even serve this as a side dish....I do...almost
every single shabbos!

2 cups white whole wheat flour
½ cup sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
2 tbsp vanilla sugar
½ cup oil
4 yellow or fuji apples
2 tbsp orange juice
2 tsp cinnamon
1) In a bowl, combine white whole wheat flour, sugar, brown
sugar, vanilla sugar and oil. This will create the crumb.
2) Peel and thinly slice the apples.
3) Place 1/3 of the crumb at the bottom of a 9” or 10”
baking pan (or in individual ramekens as seen in
photo) Then place the sliced apples over the crumb.
4) Drizzle the orange juice over the apples. Then
sprinkle the cinnamon on top of the apples too.
5) Put the rest of the crumb on top.
6) Bake for 40-45 minutes uncovered. For individual
minis, bake only 25-30 minutes.
Yields: 10 servings

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A Dose of Inspiration
A

Kallah in the tiny Shtetl of Govorovo, Poland, received a small silver
Kiddush cup as a wedding present
from one of her neighbors. The joy of her
wedding, however, was soon overshadowed
by the dark clouds of war. Precious few
were able to escape. Those who did get out
built new families on different shores.

Many years later, in 1990, in Brooklyn,
New York, there was a different Kallah,
whose maternal grandmother had grown up
in Govorovo. This new Kallah was a cousin
of the first Kallah in our story.
As it happened, the maternal grandmother of the new Chosson also grew up in
Govorovo. These two grandmothers were
overcome with joy to be reunited in such a
meaningful way with each other, each having found her long lost childhood friend.
Although the original Kallah did not survive
the war, her tiny Kiddush cup was smuggled
out. It was gifted to the new Kalla, who
happens to be my own wife. We named our
daughter Shifra for that original Kallah who
was killed by the Nazis.

Our families, and our nation as a whole,
continue to grow and thrive with the help
of Hashem, in spite of those who wish to
eliminate us. We are part of something
much greater than any individual person, yet
every person is cherished. Every single one
of us has his or her unique purpose.

Whatever the challenge, whatever the
setback, Jews know in their core that
everything comes from Hashem. His greatest gift may be our ability to choose to be
happy, even in the face of adversity. To do
that, we must recognize that He makes everything happen. We therefore must trust
that whatever happens is for our ultimate
benefit. If we truly believe this, it empowers
us with a sense of confidence and purpose.
This allows us to have peace of mind, and it
enables us to experience true joy.

Pinchas Shine

Everyone has challenges which are
custom designed to help them grow closer
to Hashem. When you are privileged to
see something in your own life that at first
seemed to be darkness, and it turns out
that it is actually goodness and light that
had been hidden from you, I encourage you
to share your story at pinchosshine@gmail.
com.
Remember, these are the good ol' days,
so keep smiling!

Choosing to be happy is not only a good
idea, it is a commandment in the Torah, in
Devarim (26:11): "And you shall rejoice in
all the good given to you by Hashem, your
G-d".

718-799-5602

Pinchus@cheininsurance.com
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Help Your Preschooler Succeed in School

Tips from a Preschool Teacher
By: Alty Jakobovits

I

t is that time of year again when parents
everywhere are rushing around getting
ready, not only for the Yomim Naroim,
but also for the start of the new school
year. For parents of first time students,
or preschoolers, this year is even more
daunting as their child embarks on a journey
of immeasurable learning experiences that
will continue for numerous years and impact
their future.
There are measures that you, the parent,
can take to foster a happy and productive
school experience for your child, and to help
to ensure that his classroom runs smoothly.
As a teacher I am always grateful to parents
who take the following tips into account.
They really do make the difference – for
your child, for his teacher, and for his class.

Show interest in what your child
does. Do homework with him and

encourage him to do the work. Ask about
his day. Praise his efforts. Hang up his
projects. Never toss a project or school
paper in the trash in front of him! If his
schoolwork is important to you, it will be
important to him.

Early
morning &
Evening hours to
accommodate all
your needs

Talk to us. Think of us, the parents
and the teacher, as a team working together
to bring out the best in your child. Good
communication is key to this. Keep us
informed of any concerns about your child,
medical issues, upcoming trips or Simchas,
new siblings… or anything that may impact
your child’s behavior in school. We really do
care.
Make sure she is well prepared.

Prepare a Mitzvah note and Tzedakah each
night. Make sure your child has all the school
supplies requested. A well prepared child
has a better chance at succeeding – and will
have more confidence as well.

Please clean out your child's
backpack and lunch bag everyday.

Smushed papers and moldy apples will make
it hard for your child to find what he needs
when rummaging through his knapsack.
A young child’s organizational skills are
usually not developed enough to allow
him to organize his belongings thoroughly.
Cleaning these items out regularly will allow
you to discover urgent notes that he may
have forgotten to show you and will give
you an idea of whether or not he has been
eating the food you’ve prepared.

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Help Your Preschooler Succeed in School (cont.)
Inform her of her transporta- Send in lunches and snacks Please send in a change of
tion plans. The strain of not know- that your child will enjoy and clothes even though your
ing how she’ll be getting home makes a eat. But don't go overboard with nosh! child "never has an accident."
child nervous. If you are in a carpool,
make sure your child knows who the
other drivers are before school starts
and that the child understands that you
cannot do carpool everyday. If you are
picking up your child alone please be
on time.

Set an appropriate bedtime –
and stick with it. A good night’s

sleep is a must! Proper sleep is essential
for a child to function optimally in the
classroom. 3 to 5 year-olds need eleven
to thirteen hours of sleep, according
to the Center for Disease Control and
Prevention.

A healthy breakfast is a great
way to start the day. You don’t have
to work hard to make sure your child
has a full stomach when she arrives
at school in the morning. A bowl
of cereal and some orange juice can
make the difference in jumpstarting
her day.

And make sure to send enough food so
that your child does not beg others to
share their snacks.

There are other scenarios that might
necessitate a change of clothes, like
falling into mud, nosebleeds. Make sure
Label all his or her belongings. your child will have what to wear if his
Children don't always recognize what's clothing becomes soiled to spare him
theirs. Labels help.
embarrassment.
You would not believe how many
sweaters, coats, scarves, etc. get left Last of all, on a humorous note: If
behind in school and are then given you don't want the world to know
away. Labeling will also prevent of upcoming exciting events in your
confusion over whose smock was left family, don't tell your child too
in the cubby.
early!
Don't send in toys unless it is for
show and tell. Many toys tend to get Just as we Daven for health and good
lost or damaged. It also causes much years, we Daven that our children’s
unnecessary heartache when not all journey will be a wonderful one, and
children are invited to play by the
with Hashem's help, it will be. I wish
owner of the toy.
everyone a Shana Tova and a beautiful
Pay attention to any food start in the school year.
allergies in the class so as not to
send in any questionable food. Not letting Mrs. Alty Jakobovits has been teaching
a child eat the snack because another preschool-age children for nearly two decades.
child might be allergic to it sometimes
causes upset to the child bringing it.

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Stop and Smell the Sea Breeze
Yitti Berkovic

T

he first time I watched the sun
come up in Miami, I think I forgot
to breathe.
Still sleepy-eyed, I sat on my porch
swing, and as I was rocked by the gentle
wind blowing through the palm trees, the
morning sun melted into the inky sky.
Reds, pinks, oranges, and violets – every
hue and shade – spilled out into a sky that
stretched out in front of me like an endless
canvas.
I was completely mesmerized.
Though it sounds hopelessly clichéd, I
couldn’t help but pinch myself.
I am a Brooklyn girl, for crying out loud.
I grew up with the sights and sounds
of the concrete jungle, where the square
patch of greenish lawn in front of my
house was the closest I got to paradise. As
a child, when I looked out my bedroom
window, my view was obstructed by my
neighbors’ attic. Forget glorious sunsets
- the magnificent vista that greeted me
each morning was a bird’s eye view of the
neighbors’ overstuffed storage closet.
And then pretty soon after I got married, I moved to Montreal. Sure, the summer months brought beautiful weather,
but the summer “months” are limited
to one month – July. By the time August
rolls around, the winter blues are already
whispering at the window. And when
winter eventually storms through without
apology, the world becomes depressingly
monochromatic – first white, and then a
dreary gray.
Knee-deep in snow on an average day,
I could not have been further from the
tropics. Palm trees belonged on post cards
other people sent me - far, far away from
my own reality.
Then, after more than five years in Montreal, I pulled up to my new home in North

Miami Beach. The first thing I said was, “I
cannot believe this is my front yard.”
My neighborhood was miles from the
nearest beach, and the homes in the area
were old and not particularly beautiful.
My house was far from picturesque, and
I worried that I didn’t have enough closet
space.
But I had never dreamed that I would
live somewhere where my yard would
have trees that grew guava (I had never
even heard of guava!) and avocados. I had
never imagined that I would wake up almost every morning embraced by cloudless skies and teased with salty sea breezes.
And the majestic palm trees that towered
above my lawn, with their wide fronds and
seemingly limitless supply of coconuts?
They were my own private paradise.
The old-time Floridians laughed as I
waxed rhapsodic about my new home.
They smiled patiently as I insisted that
the novelty would never wear off. They
glanced knowingly at each other when
I promised that I would forever be entranced by Miami’s brand of magic.
Let them laugh, I thought. They didn’t
spend five years in the frozen tundra of
Montreal. They don’t know how to appreciate a brilliant sunset or a delicious breeze.
And for a long time, I was right. I walked
around in a cloud of bliss, savoring the
sunlight like it was delectable dish.
But it happened today, more than two
years since we moved to Florida.
This morning, like most mornings, I
didn’t have time to sit on my swing to
watch the sun come up. I overslept by only
five minutes, but my morning rhythm was
entirely thrown off.
Lunches needed to be made and packed
away, homework sheets needed to be
signed, outfits needed to be selected, and

breakfast needed to be served. Oh, and of
course my kids had decided to sleep in for
the first morning all month.
In panic mode, I grabbed them out of
bed, rushed them from room to room,
put on socks, tied shoes, buttoned collars,
brushed hair, and poured milk. In a haze,
I matched each homework sheet to the
right knapsack and each lunch box to the
right child.
Somehow, I managed to get everyone
ready and we collapsed on the lawn to wait
for buses and carpools.
It was a glorious morning – not a cloud in
the endless, azure sky.
But when I had ushered off my last child,
I was too tired to be grateful that I hadn’t
needed to dress my kids in coats, scarves,
hats, gloves, and boots.

The first thing I said was, “I cannot
believe this is my front yard.”
I was too distracted to pay attention to
the golden morning sun peering down at
me questioningly.
I probably wouldn’t have noticed the
palm tree had it bent down to whisper in
my ear.
And my beloved coconuts? They were
almost a nuisance now, rolling into my
driveway and wedging themselves between my car’s tires.
When I pulled myself together to drive
to work and cleared the coconuts from my
path, I didn’t even crane my neck to catch
a glimpse of the ocean. My eyes were focused only on the ticking clock, my mind
focused only on getting to work on time.
Only when the security guard greeted me
by saying, “It’s a beautiful day, isn’t it?” did

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I realize that I hadn’t even noticed.
How had I missed it?
Clearly, the bloom is off the roses. The novelty has finally worn
off, and it made me feel a little sick to my stomach.
It’s only natural – I know that. But it still makes me feel a little
ashamed.
It reminds me of when I toured Niagara Falls for the first time. I
stood, mouth agape, at one of Creator’s great wonders of the world;
I couldn’t pull my eyes away from the majestic waterfalls, the dazzling prisms that reflected in every direction, or the salty mist that
cloaked the entire area.
But the waterfalls straddle the border between the United States
and Canada and play host to a busy border crossing, where thousands of people drive every day, their eyes trained on the road in
front of them and their minds miles away.
I couldn’t understand it: How could they not stop short in awe at
the sound of the thunderous rush of water? How could their eyes
simply ignore a sight as breathtaking as the three waterfalls?
Now I understand it.
Our lives are really a sequence of novelties, a chain of magical
moments that somehow seem less magical when the scenes begin
to repeat themselves.
I think back to one of my first mornings waking up as a married
woman, when I surveyed an apartment that I was able to call my
own, when I giddily unpacked my brand new pots and pans and
began to prepare my very first dinner for my husband.
Now, I groan just thinking about making supper, and I too often
eschew my pots and pans for quick fixes or the microwave. The
magic simply disappeared over time.
I think back on the first time my oldest son smiled at me, the first
time his tiny fingers clutched mine, the first time he said, “Mommy.”
Now he nearly reaches my shoulders, and though I love his smile,
I don’t grab a camera every time he grins. And when he calls my
name, there are times I can’t help but think, “What does he want
now?”
I’m not proud of it, but it’s true.
It may be unrealistic to expect to savor every moment, but it is
disheartening to consider that we sometimes forget to savor any
moment.
We’re all busy, we’re all distracted, we’re all so focused on taking
care of everything and everyone, that we sometimes forget to celebrate the sweet joys that are right under our noses.
Tomorrow morning, no matter the chaos, I am penciling in a moment to stop and smell the sea breeze.
And though those of you in Brooklyn are a little further from the
beaches, I hope you get a chance to do the same.

Many people develop colon
cancer in the United States.

However, Colon Cancer is preventable in many
patients by looking and removing colonpolyps.
Colon polyps are growth that occur in the lining
of the colon. Polyps develop in most people
around age fifty . That is why medical societies
advise an endoscopic screening of the colon in all
persons at age fifty.
The procdeure is perfromed after drinking
a solution to clean the colon. A flexible tube is
inserted in the rectum and advanced through the
entire colon.

BORO PARK • FLATBUSH • LONG ISLAND • LAKEWOOD

Anesthesia is given, so that patients are
comfortable during the procedure. Any growths
found during colonscopy are usually removed at
the time.
The procdeure is safe although rare risks can
occur such as bleeding or a tear in the colon.
During the last decade colon cancer has decreased
in the N.Y. area due to colonoscopy and removal
of the polyps.
Patients should see their doctor for more
information regarding colon cancer screening.

Dr Seth Lapin is board certified in internal medicine and Gastroenterology.
He is involved in teaching fellows and residents at Maimonides Medical
Center. His office is located at 1523 45th street brooklyn NY 11219.
Phone # is 1-718-972-1840 ,email seth@drlapin.com.

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Land Ho
T

BS”D

Sara Deblin

his was not a film. And it was definitely not a dream. But
driving the Belt Parkway on an early Monday morning,
there it was cresting the waves, like Captain Hook’s Jolly
Roger in all its ragged glory, parting the curtain of gray mist draping the Hudson. I blinked and looked away and when I turned
back, it was gone. That was the first day.
The second day was clear, the water sparkling cheerfully up at a
blue sky. This time there could be no mistake. Bobbing gently on
the river, rode an old time sailing ship, triple masted, canvas sails
unfurled to catch the wind.
On the third day, there were two ships. And just like that, our
8 o’clock carpool to work along the Belt and over the Verrazano
Bridge became a 20 minute foray into fantasy-land, where pirates
and treasure and mutinies and undiscovered islands crowded into
our ordinary lives. More ships appeared each day of the week, and
so our morning adventure continued. Our list of outlandish explanations included, among the least peculiar, that they were shooting a movie, or transporting the boats to a museum. As it turned
out, the ships were sailing for Fleet Week, an annual United States
Navy exhibition hosted in New York City’s harbor. A perfectly
plausible reason, but that original double-take, that first moment
of disbelief and wonder, still lingers.
Thousands of people drove by that week as they always do. I
wonder how many thought twice. It’s so easy to pass things by
when the daily tasks of job and home are all- consuming. What a
shame, when it is also so simple to look out and beyond, and appreciate the unexpected things that make life more interesting. By
the middle of the week, four full-rigged ships and two schooners
had appeared on the Hudson, proud flags fluttering in the salty
wind. (There was not a single skull-and-crossbones among them,

Thousands of people drove by that
week as they always do. I wonder
how many thought twice.
to our dismay.) Farther into the week, the ships glided beneath the
bridge, and from there they receded into the distant New York
City skyline. It was a short story, but it was a great scenario for
a story and it made me wonder how many other scenarios I had
dismissed.
Like that time on our biking trip, when we came upon a vast
empty lot, overgrown with weeds, but the perfect place for three
old men to fly their remote-control airplanes.
That time, on the subway platform at Broadway-Lafayette,
when a black girl and a Chinese girl asked us for directions to the
Lubavitcher Rebbe’s Ohel.
That time I walked by a public school entrance at 10:30 at night,
where three young policemen were standing outside, and I overheard one say, “So how hard do you think I’d need to throw this
thing in order to break a window?”
All are just stimuli, little opportunities to smile. Or think. Or
laugh. As long as we keep our eyes alert and our minds open to
appreciate them. I can still visualize the first sailing ship emerging from the fog that day, and the tinge of disappointment when
the last of them disappeared down the distance of the river. Two
weeks later though, they were back, sailing smoothly up the Hudson, returning to wherever they had come from. So no worries.
After all, stories are constantly happening all around us.

Proudly Presents

SUNDA
Y
PROGRA
M
FOR GIR
LS
WERE BACK FOR OUR FOURTH CONSECUTIVE YEAR OF

8/16 - Mazel Tov to Mr. & Mrs. Aaron
Szanzer on the Aufruf and Wedding of their
son Yekusiel.

Siyum

Letters to the Editor
COMING NEXT MONTH
We want to hear your views please write to us:
editor@thejewishecho.com

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miEcho
ni

The

!

J OKES

Chani Rubenstein

?

Q: What do you call

RIDDLES

a sheep covered in
chocolate
A: A Hershey baaaaar.

1) What Pasuk has the first 15 words all starting
with the letter Vav? (Hint: it’s in davening.)
2) If someone forgets to add Yaaleh V’yavo in Shemonah Esrei on A: Rosh Chodesh, or B: Yom Tov,
does he have to repeat it?
Send us the answers to
mini@thejewishecho.com and you’ll be entered
into a raffle to win a pie of pizza from the new
Palace Café!

Q: What has four legs
but can’t walk?
A: A chair
Q: What do bunnies
like to play
A: Hop scotch.
Q: Where can you find
an ocean with no
water?
A: On a map
Q: What has a head, a
tail, but no body?
A: A coin

Instructions:
Help Moshe decide in which Shul to Daven on Rosh
Hashanah! He needs to find out who the Rav is in each Shul,
what time Tekiyas Shofar is, and what Nusach they Daven!
Use the following clues for help.
Clues:
1) The Agudah doesn’t Daven at 11:15.
2) R’ Greene’s shul Davens Nusach Sefard.
3) The Yeshiva is the first shul to blow Shofar.
4) The Rav of the Big Shul’s last name is a color.
5) R’ Katz’s Shul blows Shofar at 11:15.

6) R’ Berg’s Shul Davens Nusach Ashkenaz,
but he’s not the Rav of the Knesset.
7) The Knesset Davens Nusach Sefaradi.
8) R’ Brown is the Rav in the Agudah
9) The Big Shul Davens at 11:30.

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Across
3. Bee product
4. What we ask our friends and family for
7. What we got from the Ayal (ram)

A
Rosh Hashanah
Story

Down
1. What Hashem is on Rosh
Hashanah
2. Our greatest weapon
5. The day Yom Kippur falls
out on this year
6. what we will all IY”H get this
year, like tzaddikim get

Now take the words that were used in the puzzle
above, and find them in the following word search:
N

C

C

B

S

Y

P

W

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U

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I

I

It was Rosh Hashanah
in the town of Berditchev.
The people of the city were
gathered in the Shul, about
to hear Unesaneh Tokef.
Suddenly, a man stood up
and began to speak. R’ Levi
Yitzchak, the renowned
Tzaddik, said: “Hashem!
Today is Rosh Hashanah,
when everyone passes
before You, and their
judgment is decided. There
are two books in front of
You: a book of life, Chaim,
and a book of death, Maves.
Tzaddikim are written down
for life, and Reshaim are
written down for death. But
this year, Rosh Hashanah
is on Shabbos. And isn’t
it an Aveirah to write on
Shabbos? But we know that
you are allowed to write in
order to save someone’s
life. So therefore, Hashem,
please write us all down for
a year of life!” And so the
crowd began their moving
Unesaneh Tokef.

HEY KIDS!

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n a partnership of Yeshiva
R’tzahd, the youth of the Stars
of Israel and the PacPlex, the
Chol Hamoed Extravaganza festival
is focused on bringing an all-inclusive,
price fixed, family friendly celebration at
a reasonable price to all Jewish families
in the metropolitan area. With a Sukkah
for Davening and Learning and another
Sukkah for families to bring their own
food (Glatt Kosher food and snacks
will be available), PacPlex and Yeshiva
R’tzahd are striving to make the holiday
both enjoyment and inexpensive.
PacPlex (formerly the Paerdegat
Athletic Club), Brooklyn’s largest
sports, recreational and entertainment
complex is having its first Chol Hamoed
celebration in the 35+ year history of
the Club. With 4 outdoor and 2 indoor
swimming pools, 3 basketball courts,
an indoor soccer field, 4 racquetball
courts, rides, carnival and video games,
entertainment, skating and so much
more, southern Brooklyn has never
seen such an extravaganza.

Yeshiva R'tzahd is a kiruv yeshiva that
combines both years of experience and
cutting edge approaches to education.
Established over 30 years ago in the
Canarsie section of Brooklyn, it is the
oldest kiruv yeshiva currently operating
in Brooklyn.
Under the leadership of Rabbi Baruch
Grossman and Dovid Lapp, the the
yeshiva has brought back thousands of
students to Yiddishkeit. Included among
the alumni are many talmidei chachamim,
rabbis, educators and other prominent
people in the Jewish community. While
the yeshiva has focused on the students
in the school, it is also working with
parents to help them come closer to their
heritage. Rabbi Yisroel Pearl had this
concept in mind when he established
the R'tzahd's high school. It was named
Mesivta Lev Bonim in reference to the
pasuk in Malachi about the hearts of
parents becoming united in their service
of Hashem. The rebbeim put their lev
and nefesh (hearts and souls) into their
students with shabbatons, trips and

other extracurricular activities.
A new middle school, Stars of Israel,
has been recently established under
the leadership of Rabbi Yehuda Leib
Schwartzberg. By offering a top quality
secular education with all the amenities
of Yeshiva R'tzahd, the school has
been able to attract many children
who never would have considered a
yeshiva education as an option. Stars
of Israel is proud to announce Rabbi
Baruch Gotersman is joining the staff
as principal.
The Chol Hamoed Extravaganza is
conveniently located at PacPlex, right
off the Belt Parkway at Exit 13, and
with ample on-site parking and acres of
outside and inside lounging and relaxing
areas. Chol Hamoed at the PacPlex
is organized to provide an enjoyable,
peaceful day with your family without
the difficulty, distance travel and long
lines that are found at many other Chol
Hamoed celebrations.
For more information, please call
718-209-1010 ext 132.

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